Friday, June 7
*JKL Lady Dolphins Vs UCU Lady Canons – 6:30 PM
*UCU Canons Vs Betway Power – 8:30PM
JKL Lady Dolphins and UCU Canons will open the National Basketball League second round in what promises to be a pulsating affair at YMCA court in Wandegeya, Kampala.
This, is a repeat of last year’s finals that saw JKL sweep three-peat-winners then 4-0 in the best of seven finals.
The Lady Dolphins will put their unbeaten run on the line – nine wins from as many first round games – when they meet UCU who by many, is the only team that can stop a Jamila ‘Zama’ Nansikombi inspired side.
The first round meeting between the two sides saw JKL win 76-67 on April 19 and the Lady Canons will be targeting revenge after getting beaten on the day they missed their role players like Sarah Ageno and Rhoda Naggita.
“As a team our major aim is to have a progressive curve as we play more games and most importantly be competitive on the floor,” said UCU’s Zainah Lokwameri. “Beating JKL will be a bonus for us. Main thing about tomorrow is to be able to execute as a team and win the game because it’s a winnable game.”
On whether they have a solution for a firing Zama, Zainah who was exclusively speaking to this Website after Thursday’s evening session, explained:
“Zama had seven points the last game against us and obviously we planning on cutting out transition that will limit her scoring unless otherwise.”
It will be a stern test for JKL who have already started life without Jane Asinde after the lanky forward left for USA to further her studies. The victory will all but guarantee them a top spot and more confidence for another straight title.
Asinde averaged a double double of points and rebounds, and UCU will seek to benefit from her absence to dagger JKL through their hearts.
“There is no revenge. It’s just competition. The team that works hardest on the floor takes it all. All those games were close games actually a deficit of about 5 points.
So for Lady Canons it’s just like any other game.
We come and try to be as competitive as we can.”
Expected Starting Five:
UCU – Rhoda Naggita, Zainah Lokwameri, Shakira Nanvubya, Sarah Ageno, Rose Akon.
JKL – Flavia Oketcho, Ritah Imanishimwe, Jamila Nansikombi, Hope Akello, Muhayi Namuwaya
